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Farr NT, Davies M, Nohl J, Abrams KJ, Schäfer J, Lai Y, Gerling T, Stehling N, Mehta D, Zhang J, Mihaylova L, Willmott JR, Black K, Rodenburg C. Revealing The Morphology of Ink and Aerosol Jet Printed Palladium-Silver Alloys Fabricated from Metal Organic Decomposition Inks. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306561. [PMID: 38145339 PMCID: PMC10933619 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Palladium films hold signicance due to their remarkable affinity for hydrogen diffusion, rendering them valauble for the seperation and purification of hydrogen in membrane reactors. However, palladium is expensive, and its films can become brittle after only a few cycles of hydrogen separation. Alloying with silver has been shown to overcome the problem of palladium embrittlement. Palladium-silver films have been produced via several methods but all have drawbacks, such as difficulties controlling the alloy composition. This study explores two promising jet printing methods: Inkjet and Aerosoljet. Both methods offer potential advantages such as direct patterning, which reduces waste, enables thin film production, and allows for the control of alloy composition. For the first time, palladium-silver alloys have been produced via inkjet printing using a palladium-silver metal organic decomposition (MOD) ink, which alloys at a temperature of 300 °C with nitrogen. Similarly, this study also demonstrates a pioneering approach for Aerosol Jet printing, showing the potential of a novel room-temperature method, for the deposition of palladium-silver MOD inks. This low temperature approach is considered an important development as palladium-silver MOD inks are originally designed for deposition on heated substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas T.H Farr
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringSir Robert Hadfield BuildingMappin Street University of SheffieldSheffieldS1 3JDUK
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, The Pam Liversidge BuildingSheffieldS1 3JDUK
| | - Matthew Davies
- Department of Electronic and Electrical EngineeringPortobello Centre, Pitt Street. University of SheffieldSheffieldS1 4ETUK
| | - James Nohl
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringSir Robert Hadfield BuildingMappin Street University of SheffieldSheffieldS1 3JDUK
| | - Kerry J. Abrams
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringSir Robert Hadfield BuildingMappin Street University of SheffieldSheffieldS1 3JDUK
| | - Jan Schäfer
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology e.V. (INP)Felix‐Hausdorff‐Str. 217489GreifswaldGermany
| | - Yufeng Lai
- Department of Electronic and Electrical EngineeringPortobello Centre, Pitt Street. University of SheffieldSheffieldS1 4ETUK
| | - Torsten Gerling
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology e.V. (INP)Felix‐Hausdorff‐Str. 217489GreifswaldGermany
| | - Nicola Stehling
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringSir Robert Hadfield BuildingMappin Street University of SheffieldSheffieldS1 3JDUK
| | - Danielle Mehta
- School of EngineeringUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolL69 3BXUK
| | - Jingqiong Zhang
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems EngineeringThe University of SheffieldAmy Johnson Building, Portobello StreetSheffieldS1 3JDUK
| | - Lyudmila Mihaylova
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems EngineeringThe University of SheffieldAmy Johnson Building, Portobello StreetSheffieldS1 3JDUK
| | - Jon R. Willmott
- Department of Electronic and Electrical EngineeringPortobello Centre, Pitt Street. University of SheffieldSheffieldS1 4ETUK
| | - Kate Black
- School of EngineeringUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolL69 3BXUK
| | - Cornelia Rodenburg
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringSir Robert Hadfield BuildingMappin Street University of SheffieldSheffieldS1 3JDUK
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, The Pam Liversidge BuildingSheffieldS1 3JDUK
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2
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Zhang J, Jing Q, Wade T, Xu Z, Ives L, Zhang D, Baumberg JJ, Kar-Narayan S. Controllable Multimodal Actuation in Fully Printed Ultrathin Micro-Patterned Electrochemical Actuators. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:6485-6494. [PMID: 38266382 PMCID: PMC10859886 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c19006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Submillimeter or micrometer scale electrically controlled soft actuators have immense potential in microrobotics, haptics, and biomedical applications. However, the fabrication of miniaturized and micropatterned open-air soft actuators has remained challenging. In this study, we demonstrate the microfabrication of trilayer electrochemical actuators (ECAs) through aerosol jet printing (AJP), a rapid prototyping method with a 10 μm lateral resolution. We make fully printed 1000 × 5000 × 12 μm3 ultrathin ECAs, each of which comprises a Nafion electrolyte layer sandwiched between two poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrode layers. The ECAs actuate due to the electric-field-driven migration of hydrated protons. Due to the thinness that gives rise to a low proton transport length and a low flexural rigidity, the printed ECAs can operate under low voltages (∼0.5 V) and have a relatively fast response (∼seconds). We print all the components of an actuator that consists of two individually controlled submillimeter segments and demonstrate its multimodal actuation. The convenience, versatility, rapidity, and low cost of our microfabrication strategy promise future developments in integrating arrays of intricately patterned individually controlled soft microactuators on compact stretchable electronic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Zhang
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University
of Cambridge, JJ Thomson
Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Qingshen Jing
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
- James
Watt School of Engineering, University of
Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8LT, U.K.
| | - Tom Wade
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Zhencheng Xu
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Liam Ives
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Diandian Zhang
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Jeremy J. Baumberg
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University
of Cambridge, JJ Thomson
Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Sohini Kar-Narayan
- Department
of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
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3
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Du Y, Reitemeier J, Jiang Q, Bappy MO, Bohn PW, Zhang Y. Hybrid Printing of Fully Integrated Microfluidic Devices for Biosensing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304966. [PMID: 37752777 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The advent of 3D printing has facilitated the rapid fabrication of microfluidic devices that are accessible and cost-effective. However, it remains a challenge to fabricate sophisticated microfluidic devices with integrated structural and functional components due to limited material options of existing printing methods and their stringent requirement on feedstock material properties. Here, a multi-materials multi-scale hybrid printing method that enables seamless integration of a broad range of structural and functional materials into complex devices is reported. A fully printed and assembly-free microfluidic biosensor with embedded fluidic channels and functionalized electrodes at sub-100 µm spatial resolution for the amperometric sensing of lactate in sweat is demonstrated. The sensors present a sensitive response with a limit of detection of 442 nm and a linear dynamic range of 1-10 mm, which are performance characteristics relevant to physiological levels of lactate in sweat. The versatile hybrid printing method offers a new pathway toward facile fabrication of next-generation integrated devices for broad applications in point-of-care health monitoring and sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipu Du
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Julius Reitemeier
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Qiang Jiang
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Md Omarsany Bappy
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Paul W Bohn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Yanliang Zhang
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
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4
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Development of Scaffolds from Bio-Based Natural Materials for Tissue Regeneration Applications: A Review. Gels 2023; 9:gels9020100. [PMID: 36826270 PMCID: PMC9957409 DOI: 10.3390/gels9020100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue damage and organ failure are major problems that many people face worldwide. Most of them benefit from treatment related to modern technology's tissue regeneration process. Tissue engineering is one of the booming fields widely used to replace damaged tissue. Scaffold is a base material in which cells and growth factors are embedded to construct a substitute tissue. Various materials have been used to develop scaffolds. Bio-based natural materials are biocompatible, safe, and do not release toxic compounds during biodegradation. Therefore, it is highly recommendable to fabricate scaffolds using such materials. To date, there have been no singular materials that fulfill all the features of the scaffold. Hence, combining two or more materials is encouraged to obtain the desired characteristics. To design a reliable scaffold by combining different materials, there is a need to choose a good fabrication technique. In this review article, the bio-based natural materials and fine fabrication techniques that are currently used in developing scaffolds for tissue regeneration applications, along with the number of articles published on each material, are briefly discussed. It is envisaged to gain explicit knowledge of developing scaffolds from bio-based natural materials for tissue regeneration applications.
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5
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Yu S, Sun H, Li Y, Wei S, Xu J, Liu J. Hydrogels as promising platforms for engineered living bacteria-mediated therapeutic systems. Mater Today Bio 2022; 16:100435. [PMID: 36164505 PMCID: PMC9508596 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The idea of using engineered bacteria as prospective living therapeutic agents for the treatment of different diseases has been raised. Nevertheless, the development of safe and effective treatment strategies remains essential to the success of living bacteria-mediated therapy. Hydrogels have presented great promise for the delivery of living bacterial therapeutics due to their tunable physicochemical properties, good bioactivities, and excellent protection of labile payloads. In this review, we summarize the hydrogel design strategies for living bacteria-mediated therapy and review the recent advances in hydrogel-based living bacterial agent delivery for the treatment of typical diseases, including those for digestive health, skin fungal infections, wound healing, vaccines, and cancer, and discuss the current challenges and future perspectives of these strategies in the field. It is believed that the importance of hydrogel-based living bacteria-mediated therapy is expected to further increase with the development of both synthetic biology and biomaterials science in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangjiang Yu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongcheng Sun
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongguang Li
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu Wei
- Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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6
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Baudino L, Santos C, Pirri CF, La Mantia F, Lamberti A. Recent Advances in the Lithium Recovery from Water Resources: From Passive to Electrochemical Methods. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201380. [PMID: 35896956 PMCID: PMC9507372 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ever-increasing amount of batteries used in today's society has led to an increase in the demand of lithium in the last few decades. While mining resources of this element have been steadily exploited and are rapidly depleting, water resources constitute an interesting reservoir just out of reach of current technologies. Several techniques are being explored and novel materials engineered. While evaporation is very time-consuming and has large footprints, ion sieves and supramolecular systems can be suitably tailored and even integrated into membrane and electrochemical techniques. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the available solutions to recover lithium from water resources both by passive and electrically enhanced techniques. Accordingly, this work aims to provide in a single document a rational comparison of outstanding strategies to remove lithium from aqueous sources. To this end, practical figures of merit of both main groups of techniques are provided. An absence of a common experimental protocol and the resulting variability of data and experimental methods are identified. The need for a shared methodology and a common agreement to report performance metrics are underlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Baudino
- DISAT Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e TecnologiaPolitecnico di Torinocorso Duca degli Abruzzi 24Torino10129Italy
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Sustainable Future TechnologiesVia Livorno 60Torino10144Italy
| | - Cleis Santos
- Energiespeicher‐ und EnergiewandlersystemeUniversität BremenBibliothekstraße 128359BremenGermany
| | - Candido F. Pirri
- DISAT Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e TecnologiaPolitecnico di Torinocorso Duca degli Abruzzi 24Torino10129Italy
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Sustainable Future TechnologiesVia Livorno 60Torino10144Italy
| | - Fabio La Mantia
- Energiespeicher‐ und EnergiewandlersystemeUniversität BremenBibliothekstraße 128359BremenGermany
| | - Andrea Lamberti
- DISAT Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e TecnologiaPolitecnico di Torinocorso Duca degli Abruzzi 24Torino10129Italy
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Sustainable Future TechnologiesVia Livorno 60Torino10144Italy
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7
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Aerosol Jet Printing of 3D Pillar Arrays from Photopolymer Ink. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14163411. [PMID: 36015668 PMCID: PMC9412835 DOI: 10.3390/polym14163411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An aerosol jet printing (AJP) printing head built on top of precise motion systems can provide positioning deviation down to 3 μm, printing areas as large as 20 cm × 20 cm × 30 cm, and five-axis freedom of movement. Typical uses of AJP are 2D printing on complex or flexible substrates, primarily for applications in printed electronics. Nearly all commercially available AJP inks for 2D printing are designed and optimized to reach desired electronic properties. In this work, we explore AJP for the 3D printing of free-standing pillar arrays. We utilize aryl epoxy photopolymer as ink coupled with a cross-linking “on the fly” technique. Pillar structures 550 μm in height and with a diameter of 50 μm were 3D printed. Pillar structures were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, where the morphology, number of printed layers and side effects of the AJP technique were investigated. Satellite droplets and over-spray seem to be unavoidable for structures smaller than 70 μm. Nevertheless, reactive ion etching (RIE) as a post-processing step can mitigate AJP side effects. AJP-RIE together with photopolymer-based ink can be promising for the 3D printing of microstructures, offering fast and maskless manufacturing without wet chemistry development and heat treatment post-processing.
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8
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Chen X, Lawrence JM, Wey LT, Schertel L, Jing Q, Vignolini S, Howe CJ, Kar-Narayan S, Zhang JZ. 3D-printed hierarchical pillar array electrodes for high-performance semi-artificial photosynthesis. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:811-818. [PMID: 35256790 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01205-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The rewiring of photosynthetic biomachineries to electrodes is a forward-looking semi-artificial route for sustainable bio-electricity and fuel generation. Currently, it is unclear how the electrode and biomaterial interface can be designed to meet the complex requirements for high biophotoelectrochemical performance. Here we developed an aerosol jet printing method for generating hierarchical electrode structures using indium tin oxide nanoparticles. We printed libraries of micropillar array electrodes varying in height and submicrometre surface features, and studied the energy/electron transfer processes across the bio-electrode interfaces. When wired to the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, micropillar array electrodes with microbranches exhibited favourable biocatalyst loading, light utilization and electron flux output, ultimately almost doubling the photocurrent of state-of-the-art porous structures of the same height. When the micropillars' heights were increased to 600 µm, milestone mediated photocurrent densities of 245 µA cm-2 (the closest thus far to theoretical predictions) and external quantum efficiencies of up to 29% could be reached. This study demonstrates how bio-energy from photosynthesis could be more efficiently harnessed in the future and provide new tools for three-dimensional electrode design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Chen
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Laura T Wey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lukas Schertel
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Qingshen Jing
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sohini Kar-Narayan
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jenny Z Zhang
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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9
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dos Santos DM, Cardoso RM, Migliorini FL, Facure MH, Mercante LA, Mattoso LH, Correa DS. Advances in 3D printed sensors for food analysis. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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3D Printing of Polymeric Bioresorbable Stents: A Strategy to Improve Both Cellular Compatibility and Mechanical Properties. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14061099. [PMID: 35335430 PMCID: PMC8954590 DOI: 10.3390/polym14061099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the leading causes of death is cardiovascular disease, and the most common cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease. Percutaneous coronary intervention and vascular stents have emerged as a solution to treat coronary artery disease. Nowadays, several types of vascular stents share the same purpose: to reduce the percentage of restenosis, thrombosis, and neointimal hyperplasia and supply mechanical support to the blood vessels. Despite the numerous efforts to create an ideal stent, there is no coronary stent that simultaneously presents the appropriate cellular compatibility and mechanical properties to avoid stent collapse and failure. One of the emerging approaches to solve these problems is improving the mechanical performance of polymeric bioresorbable stents produced through additive manufacturing. Although there have been numerous studies in this field, normalized control parameters for 3D-printed polymeric vascular stents fabrication are absent. The present paper aims to present an overview of the current types of stents and the main polymeric materials used to fabricate the bioresorbable vascular stents. Furthermore, a detailed description of the printing parameters' influence on the mechanical performance and degradation profile of polymeric bioresorbable stents is presented.
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11
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Jing Q, Pace A, Ives L, Husmann A, Ćatić N, Khanduja V, Cama J, Kar-Narayan S. Aerosol-jet-printed, conformable microfluidic force sensors. CELL REPORTS. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 2021; 2:100386. [PMID: 33928263 PMCID: PMC8063179 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Force sensors that are thin, low-cost, flexible, and compatible with commercial microelectronic chips are of great interest for use in biomedical sensing, precision surgery, and robotics. By leveraging a combination of microfluidics and capacitive sensing, we develop a thin, flexible force sensor that is conformable and robust. The sensor consists of a partially filled microfluidic channel made from a deformable material, with the channel overlaying a series of interdigitated electrodes coated with a thin, insulating polymer layer. When a force is applied to the microfluidic channel reservoir, the fluid is displaced along the channel over the electrodes, thus inducing a capacitance change proportional to the applied force. The microfluidic molds themselves are made of low-cost sacrificial materials deposited via aerosol-jet printing, which is also used to print the electrode layer. We envisage a large range of industrial and biomedical applications for this force sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingshen Jing
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Alizée Pace
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Liam Ives
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Anke Husmann
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Nordin Ćatić
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Vikas Khanduja
- Cambridge Young Adult Hip Service, Addenbrooke’s-Cambridge University Hospitals, Box 37, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Jehangir Cama
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Harrison Building, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Sohini Kar-Narayan
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
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12
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Efimov AA, Arsenov PV, Borisov VI, Buchnev AI, Lizunova AA, Kornyushin DV, Tikhonov SS, Musaev AG, Urazov MN, Shcherbakov MI, Spirin DV, Ivanov VV. Synthesis of Nanoparticles by Spark Discharge as a Facile and Versatile Technique of Preparing Highly Conductive Pt Nano-Ink for Printed Electronics. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:234. [PMID: 33477440 PMCID: PMC7830501 DOI: 10.3390/nano11010234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
A cost-effective, scalable and versatile method of preparing nano-ink without hazardous chemical precursors is a prerequisite for widespread adoption of printed electronics. Precursor-free synthesis by spark discharge is promising for this purpose. The synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) using a spark discharge under Ar, N2, and air has been investigated to prepare highly conductive nano-ink. The size, chemical composition, and mass production rate of PtNPs significantly depended on the carrier gas. Pure metallic PtNPs with sizes of 5.5 ± 1.8 and 7.1 ± 2.4 nm were formed under Ar and N2, respectively. PtNPs with sizes of 18.2 ± 9.0 nm produced using air consisted of amorphous oxide PtO and metallic Pt. The mass production rates of PtNPs were 53 ± 6, 366 ± 59, and 490 ± 36 mg/h using a spark discharge under Ar, N2, and air, respectively. It was found that the energy dissipated in the spark gap is not a significant parameter that determines the mass production rate. Stable Pt nano-ink (25 wt.%) was prepared only on the basis of PtNPs synthesized under air. Narrow (about 30 μm) and conductive Pt lines were formed by the aerosol jet printing with prepared nano-ink. The resistivity of the Pt lines sintered at 750 °C was (1.2 ± 0.1)·10-7 Ω·m, which is about 1.1 times higher than that of bulk Pt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey A. Efimov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Pavel V. Arsenov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Vladislav I. Borisov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Arseny I. Buchnev
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Anna A. Lizunova
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Denis V. Kornyushin
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Sergey S. Tikhonov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Andrey G. Musaev
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Maxim N. Urazov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
| | - Mikhail I. Shcherbakov
- Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of Russian Academy of Sciences, 125009 Moscow, Russia;
| | | | - Victor V. Ivanov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia; (P.V.A.); (V.I.B.); (A.I.B.); (A.A.L.); (D.V.K.); (S.S.T.); (A.G.M.); (M.N.U.); (V.V.I.)
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Chalklen T, Jing Q, Kar-Narayan S. Biosensors Based on Mechanical and Electrical Detection Techniques. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E5605. [PMID: 33007906 PMCID: PMC7584018 DOI: 10.3390/s20195605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Biosensors are powerful analytical tools for biology and biomedicine, with applications ranging from drug discovery to medical diagnostics, food safety, and agricultural and environmental monitoring. Typically, biological recognition receptors, such as enzymes, antibodies, and nucleic acids, are immobilized on a surface, and used to interact with one or more specific analytes to produce a physical or chemical change, which can be captured and converted to an optical or electrical signal by a transducer. However, many existing biosensing methods rely on chemical, electrochemical and optical methods of identification and detection of specific targets, and are often: complex, expensive, time consuming, suffer from a lack of portability, or may require centralised testing by qualified personnel. Given the general dependence of most optical and electrochemical techniques on labelling molecules, this review will instead focus on mechanical and electrical detection techniques that can provide information on a broad range of species without the requirement of labelling. These techniques are often able to provide data in real time, with good temporal sensitivity. This review will cover the advances in the development of mechanical and electrical biosensors, highlighting the challenges and opportunities therein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qingshen Jing
- Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK;
| | - Sohini Kar-Narayan
- Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK;
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